Cleaning Composition for Beverage Containers Reducing Glass Etching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage containers, particularly glass bottles, suffer from scuff marks, scuff rings, and scratches during repeated use, which affect their aesthetic appeal and commercial value, and existing cleaning methods using caustic alkaline solutions can lead to glass etching and weakening of the containers.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 2.5 wt % to 40 wt % of strong and weak sequestrants, 0.1 wt % to 20 wt % of polymers or metallic salts, 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % of antiscalants, and 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of surfactants, which is used to clean and protect beverage containers, reducing defects and extending their shelf life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly alkaline caustic solutions are used for cleaning beverage containers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but glass etching and container weakening occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by using sequestrants (which bind metal ions) and surfactants (which reduce surface tension) instead of highly alkaline caustic solutions. This parameter change allows effective cleaning while preventing glass etching, as the new composition works through different chemical mechanisms that do not attack the glass surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning composition is a composite formulation containing multiple ingredients including sequestrants, surfactants, and other additives working together. This composite approach provides synergistic effects where the combination of ingredients achieves superior cleaning while protecting the glass from damage, unlike single-component caustic solutions.
2Reliability
If increased temperatures up to 85 degrees Celsius are used for washing, then cleaning properties are improved, but beverage containers are weakened with repeated washings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the washing process by using effective cleaning compositions that work at lower temperatures. The specialized formulation with sequestrants and surfactants maintains cleaning efficacy at reduced temperatures, thereby preventing thermal weakening and stress accumulation in the glass containers during repeated wash cycles.
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then contaminants are removed, but scuff marks and scratches increase on container surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the cleaning solution and the contaminated surface. These surfactants lower surface tension and enable effective contaminant removal through emulsification and micelle formation, while the sequestrants bind to metal particles and other contaminants, preventing them from scratching the glass surface during the cleaning process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively reduces contaminants and scuff marks on beverage containers by up to 80%, minimizes glass weight loss, and extends the life cycle of glass bottles from 18 to 33 cycles, while maintaining the containers' integrity and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The composition may include 2.5 wt % to 40 wt % of at least one strong sequestrant, 2.5 wt % to 40 wt % of at least one weak sequestrant
Implementation Method 2
0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of at least one surfactant
Implementation Method 3
0.1 wt % to 20 wt % of at least one ingredient selected from a polymer or a metallic salt
Implementation Method 4
0.1 wt % to 5 wt % of at least one antiscalant
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for use in recycled food and beverage containers is disclosed. A mixture of a strong sequestrant, a weak sequestrant, a polymer, an antiscalant and a surfactant is disclosed. Methods directed to using the composition are also disclosed. A composition that cleans and also reduces the defects present on the external surface of containers during a wash cycle is disclosed. The composition may or may not have metallic salts.